Improvement in mariners  sound-indicators



, sound originates.

. UNITEDv STATES PATENT OEEICEo J OOOHRANE, OF `NEW YORK,- N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN MARINERS SOUND-INDICATORS.

Specification forming partof Letters Patent No. l 10,827, dated January 10, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES CocHnANE. of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain devices to enable a mariner to' determine the direction ot sound when f rom any cause lie is prevented from exercising the sense of sight, of which the following is a specification.

I propose to designate my invention by the title Mai'iners Sound-Iiu'litattor.7

Great inconvenience and many accidents t'atal to life and destructive. to property have resulted from the dificulty ot' determiuin g direction ofsoundin navigation. For instance, when approaching or navigating harbors or rivers in Which man v vessels are moving in diti'erent directions enveloped in a thick tog, sound is resorted to as a means ot' signaling to prevent collisions, and with the ferry-boats to make out also their landings. Under such circumstances every mariner is aware ot' the extreme difficulty and inconvenience at present experienced in determining from what locality the lt would be impossible for me (fifty years a mariner) to cite the numerous instances-where ditculties ot' this kind have rendered the position hazardous and frightful in the extreme. Now, my invention proposes to obviate ineasurably these difficulties by enabling the pilot (or other person whose duty it may be) to determine, it' possible, without leaving his station, from what locality the sound originates. I accomplish this b v means of tubes, one stationary with an opening` convenient to the pilots ear, and another tube forming a continuation of the first, movable to all the points of the compass by means of a wheel or lever under the mariuers immediate touch and control.

The person desiring to ascertain the point from which the sound proceeds is to turn the tube (a wheel or lever) until the most acute sound is heard through an opening in the tiXcd tube; and now, b v observing any indicator, (as

a king-spoke in the wheel,) which, being previously adjusted, shows the direction to which the. opening of the movable tube points, he is thus enabled to determine the direction from which the sound proceeds-if necessary, by the sense of feeling.

In the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification, Figure lisa line elevation ofa contrivance embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan ot' the saine.

Like letters indicate like parts in all the iigiires.

In the figures, L is in this case an angular listening-tube. Sis a rest and guide surrounding the listening-tube. t., and carrying the weight of it, so as to permit its rotation or vibration. Wis a lever-wheel fastened to the vertical and horizontal tube L. lvl is a telescopic adjustable. termination ot' L, with an opening, 'l`, for the earot' the pilot or niariner, and so constructed as to allow the tube L to vibrate or revolve while the opening 'l t'or the ear remains stationary.

Where it Would be convenient, a fiexible tube may be adjusted with one end attached to the opening' T and the other to the mariners ear to convey the sound. i

The manner ot' operating is to turn the wheel or lever W, revolving or vibrating-the tube L,

until the most acute sound is heard through the opening T, or through tinl tlexiblc tube, then, observing'the direction indicated b v the kingspoke K, or other contrivance indicating the direction to which the revolving opening O points, determines that to be the direction t'rom which the sound proceeds. f

The material used for the tubes maybe that which conveys the sound easiest andbest.

l have given the above description as representing the'invention under a particular construction and arrangement; but lilo not wish to be considered as limiting' myselt' to a articular construction or arrangement.

I desire to secure by Letters Patent, and claim- 1.`The combination ot' the stationary tube M, with opening .'l, and ro:ary or vibratory tube L, with opening O, substantially as and for the purposes hcreinbei'ore set forth.

2. Thecoinbination ot the tube L, with opening O, and M, with opening' T, and wheel or lever and king-spoke K, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbei'ore set forth.

` JAMES OOCHRANE.

Witnesses:

JONES COGHRANE, DANIEL BURNS. 

